Wilkinsburg Redevelopment Authority Head Charged

WILKINSBURG (KDKA) -- The woman in charge of the Wilkinsburg Redevelopment Authority is accused of hiring someone to remove items from inside vacant houses and then sell those items.

Police say 65-year-old Kate Luxenburg obtained lists of vacant and abandoned property and told her friend, 48-year-old Richard Funk, of Braddock Hills, to remove copper and appliances.

This all came to light when police investigated a burglary at a vacant home at 420 Rebbecca Avenue. Police believe Funk knew what he was doing was illegal.

Luxenburg is a volunteer, non-paid member of the redevelopment authority. There is no individual authority member that can take independent action on behalf of the authority.

Luxenburg and Funk were arrested and taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Investigators say there could be more houses and people involved.

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